2012 Certified Master Chef® Exam

The title of Certified Master Chef® (CMC®), presented
solely by the American Culinary Federation, is the highest level of
certification a chef can receive. It represents the pinnacle of
professionalism and skill. Today, there are only 66 CMCs and 11
Certified Master Pastry Chefs® (CMPC®) in the nation. The last
group of CMCs was named in 2010. On Aug. 4–11, 2012, seven
accomplished chefs from across the country will vie for the chance to
join the ranks of the elite group known as Certified Master Chefs. The
eight-day practical exam sponsored by McCormick For Chefs will take place at The
Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y.

In order for a chef to apply for the CMC exam, the candidate must
show documentation that he/she is a Certified Executive Chef® or
Certified Culinary Educator®, provide two letters or recommendation
from current CMCs and meet rigorous education and experience
requirements. The cost for the examination process is $3,800. In
addition, all other expenses associated with taking the exam (food for
practice, travel, room, board, etc.) are the responsibility of the
candidate.

On Aug. 1, three days before the exam, candidates will receive the
protein for their healthy cooking segment. Within 24 hours, they must
return a nutritional analysis, menu and ingredient list that is approved
by a registered dietician. The practical exam is administered in eight
segments: healthy cooking, buffet catering, classical cuisine, freestyle
cooking, global cuisine, baking and pastry, continental and northern
Europe cuisines and market basket, demonstrating that the chef is
well-rounded. Each category is graded in two parts: kitchen skills and
presentation, and tasting. The minimum passing score for the entire exam
is 75 points out of 100. If a candidate fails along the way, he/she is
ineligible to continue.

Meet the CMC Candidates

Seven chefs from five states vie to be the next Certified Master
Chef. Learn about the candidates.

Meet the Evaluators

More than 20 Certified Master Chefs from across the country will
evaluate the 2012 CMC candidates. Find out who are the evaluators.

Exam Updates

Wish you were at the 2012 CMC exam to see the action live? You
don’t have to be. ACF takes you into the kitchens of The Culinary
Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., with updates
and photos on our website and through Twitter with the hashtag
#ACFCMC at twitter.com/ACFChefs during the exam.

“To earn the Certified
Master Chef designation is one of the most notable accomplishments of a
chef’s career. It bears witness to the commitment, hard work and
consummate skill that candidates bring to this most challenging of
tasks—the CMC exam. These seven chefs have chosen to undergo an
intensive eight-day test of culinary skills and knowledge, and they have
our good wishes. If successful, they will join 66 CMCs throughout the
U.S. who proudly hold this prestigious certification.” —ACF
Certification Commission Chair Ronald DeSantis, CMC, AAC®, MBA,
director of culinary excellence and quality assurance, Yale Dining at
Yale University, New Haven, Conn.